1798/97 10C 13 Stars on Reverse MS63 PCGS. CAC.JR-2,
R.6. Considerable design weakness is evident at the center of
the obverse and reverse, with stronger peripheral details and a
nicely centered impression. Both sides have fully brilliant ivory
luster with exceptional mint frost. The obverse has wisps of faint
golden toning. The reverse is similar with additional linear
splashes of blue, dark gold, and russet. A splendid piece for the
aficionado.
Die State. Heavy clash marks are visible on the obverse. Raised
die lines from the forehead and nose join the base of T and Y.
Condition Census. There is no doubt that this piece is the
finest known 1798/7 JR-2 dime. Before the current offering, we have
only handled two Mint State examples of this variety, both inferior
to the present piece. This coin is the only certified MS63, with
none finer. PCGS has also graded two MS62 coins, and NGC has
certified two MS62 pieces and an MS61.
Appearances. We have been unable to locate any previous
appearances or earlier pedigree for this piece.
Obverse Die.Overdate with a small 8 over a large 7, the
tail of the 7 visible well below the 8. 13 stars are arranged with
seven left and six right. Stars 6 and 7 are much closer than all
others on the left, and stars 11 and 12 nearly touch on the right.
The date is low and the serif of the 1 is far from the missing low
curl which has been lapped away. The top of the 8 is far from the
drapery. Stars 1 and 13 are distant from the curl and drapery, and
stars 7 and 8 are closer to the bust and Liberty.State a. Die scratch from star 3 to star 10, probably
nonexistent on this variety. State b. Die scratch disappears
and clash marks appear. State c. Clash marks are now heavy
with die scratches from the throat to the chin.
Reverse Die.13 stars are arranged with five in the top
row, six in the bottom row, and one on each side of the eagle's
head. No other Heraldic Eagle die has that particular star
arrangement. Star 1 touches the left wing, star 3 is attached to
the cloud below the final S, and star 12 is solidly attached to the
upper beak and the lower beak. All letters in the legend are spaced
apart, with no letters touching any devices, although a leaf nearly
touches the base of I in AMERICA. The branch only has four berries,
lacking the top inside berry.State a. Perfect die.
Heritage Commentary. The 13 Stars Reverse variety of 1798
overdates was struck after the 16 Stars variety. It is presumed
that the overdates were coined before the normal dates, although
that is uncertain.

The 1798/7 JR-2 dime with 13 reverse stars is one of the important
rarities in the Heraldic Eagle dime series. Rated as R.6, less than
30 examples are known in all grades. While there is no complete
census available, it is reasonable to expect that nearly all of the
known pieces are in grades below XF.
Consignor Commentary. The dime book lists the Bareford coin as
the finest the authors had seen. I owned that coin and the present
piece for several years. This example that I retained is clearly
superior, and is the finest I have seen or heard of.
Provenance.Stuart Levine (8/2/2002).
From The Ed Price Collection.(Registry
values: P6) (NGC ID# 236G, PCGS# 4469)